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Scientists have discovered a key mechanism that protects your digestive tract from inflammation and colon cancer. A receptor on digestive immune cells called Gpr109a needs to be activated, in turn causing immune cells to make large amounts of anti-inflammatory compounds that protect the digestive lining from inflammation and cancer. As it turns out, niacin and the butyrate (from fiber fermentation) are the key activators of Gpr109a.
The friendly flora in your digestive tract ferment the fiber you consume, in turn producing the short-chain fatty acid called butyrate. Butyrate is a powerful signaling nutrient, interacting in a beneficial way with multiple points of the human genome. It is now shown to activate Gpr109a, as does niacin (vitamin B3).
Once Gpr109a is activated, then immune cells in your digestive tract produce inflammation-reducing signals as well as improve the function of T cells for a generally more efficient immune response. Gpr109a signals help to initiate healing within the digestive tract. The finding helps explain why a high-fiber diet reduces the risk of colon problems and indicates that when fiber is lacking, niacin, or vitamin B3, just may help keep the colon healthy as well, said Dr. Vadivel Ganapathy, Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University and a corresponding study author. “To protect your colon, you need this receptor, as well as the fiber and butyrate which activate it.”
This study highlights a new understanding of how friendly flora and fiber, as well as niacin, help protect your GI tract from harm.
More...
The friendly flora in your digestive tract ferment the fiber you consume, in turn producing the short-chain fatty acid called butyrate. Butyrate is a powerful signaling nutrient, interacting in a beneficial way with multiple points of the human genome. It is now shown to activate Gpr109a, as does niacin (vitamin B3).
Once Gpr109a is activated, then immune cells in your digestive tract produce inflammation-reducing signals as well as improve the function of T cells for a generally more efficient immune response. Gpr109a signals help to initiate healing within the digestive tract. The finding helps explain why a high-fiber diet reduces the risk of colon problems and indicates that when fiber is lacking, niacin, or vitamin B3, just may help keep the colon healthy as well, said Dr. Vadivel Ganapathy, Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University and a corresponding study author. “To protect your colon, you need this receptor, as well as the fiber and butyrate which activate it.”
This study highlights a new understanding of how friendly flora and fiber, as well as niacin, help protect your GI tract from harm.
More...